In Indonesia:

ing ngarsa sung tulada,

ing madya mangun karsa,

tut wuri handayani

In front, an educator/leader is a role model,

Side by side, an educator/leader is a co-creator,

From behind, an educator/leader encourages.

Compare that to this of Albert Camus:

‎”Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow.
Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead.
Just walk beside me, and be my friend”

Now, I wonder what TurnitinUK would make of that…

 

Tagged: Albert Camus, diversity, Indonesia, Ki Hajar Dewantara, leadership, perspective

8 AM, Ankara Esenboga Airport, waiting for my return flight to Edinburgh. Reflection time while waiting for my caffeine to kick in and boarding gate to open.

“Future health managers” has been my week’s theme.

In many countries health systems are currently transforming, especially in Turkey and Britain. In response to this development, health managers are under greater pressure to be able to manage change effectively. Unfortunately, this is a competency that requires health managers to learn not just on the job, but before and throughout their career. A job demanding lifelong learning. The question then, is how do educators promote lifelong learning and build content for this kind of learning? We are after all designing what kind of knowledge should be available in, sustainable for, and adaptable to situations in the future.

Through hours of vigorous intellectual exercise, experts from Queen Margaret University, Leeds University, Gazi University, Atilim University, Mediterranean Health Managers’ Association (ASID), and Turkish-German Health Donation (TDG) concluded that first and foremost we need a definition of what future health managers are.

Rich and complex ideas flew about our meeting room for days, landing on a common agreement that we should involve more people in thinking about Future Health Managers. What I’m thinking about right now though… is what building future managers will do to future health systems?

We are designing an organic health manager model who will be catalysts, creators, and shapers. Not reactors. If these new breed of managers fill positions in the next 5-10 years… what kind of system should we anticipate in 20?

I’m afraid I don’t have answers at the moment. Maybe my Turkish Coffee hasn’t kicked in.

Tagged: Ankara, Atilim University, European Commission, future manager, Gazi University, Health education, HEalth Management, healthcare, innovation, Leonardo Lifelong Learning, Lishia erza, perspective, Queen Margaret University, social development, Turkey

I find this piece by Jason Cromwell is inspiring. Empowering individuals.

TRUTHS AND LIES

I have been told

that I am a figment

of my own imagination,

that what I am cannot be,

that my truths are lies

and their lies are truths.

But I know that I am

and that my truths are not lies

and their lies are not truths.

They may keep me

outside the boundaries

of their imaginations,

but I refuse to be invisible.

Have a good week ahead!

Tagged: difference, perspective, social development, social exclusion

Nothing better than to stay up late and wake up late on weekends. Although the discussion right after waking up did not reflect a lazy Saturday morning. It was about Tunisia, revolution, and hope for the world.

Both my friend and I have been working to promote democracy because we believe in it. He was thrilled to see that revolution still works, that sovereignty still lies with the people. I on the other hand, prefer change to come from a peaceful process. Behaviour change and dialogue. Evolution as opposed to revolution. Maybe I’m delusional, maybe I’m simply feminine – two different things.

It did get me thinking. Revolution or evolution, the ultimate goal is change. Towards what, that’s a different question. Whether it will be better after change, that is also a different matter. But we seek change. We work towards change. We see change as key to hope. When something radical happened, like a 26 year old setting himself on fire in a public square, the masses have a reason to show dissent and demand change. From a corrupt government to a better one – a democratic government where leaders could be held accountable.

But if democracy fails, people would once again demand change. Whether change is in the way current system (democracy) runs, or change of system altogether to an authoritarian rule. Whatever changes happen, the value of change is hope. No change, no hope.

What change(s) are you making today?

Tagged: democracy, perspective, social development